The Aigantighe Art Gallery in Wai-iti Road, Timaru is renowned internationally for its art collection and innovative exhibition and education programmes. It was founded in 1956 by the Grant family who came from Scotland and it now holds the South Island’s third-largest public art museum collection. In 1978 a large modern wing was added giving extensive exhibition space. The Aigantighe prides itself on being a friendly and thought-provoking art museum for everyone

Aigantighe is Scottish Gaelic for ‘at home’ and is pronounced ‘egg and tie’.

The Permanent Art Collection

Aigantighe holds New Zealand, Pacific, Asian and European art works from the sixteenth century to the present day. Its British Victorian painting collection is of great significance. Masterpieces by Goldie, Hodgkins and McCahon (born in Timaru) feature in a room dedicated especially to them and six new thematic exhibitions from the permanent collection are held in the House Gallery each year. The Aigantighe is well known for its extensive and innovative use and unique interpretation of its collection in entertaining, well-researched exhibitions.

Regional, National and International Contemporary and Historic Exhibitions

Sixteen new widely-sourced exhibitions are shown each year in the modern wing. Site-specific contemporary installations have been curated such as 129 Oaks which told the story of the famous Lovelock Oak in Timaru. Collaborations with overseas collectors have seen exciting exhibitions such as Swiss-Italian Impressionism (2004), Fashion in the Style of Frida Kahlo (2006), Generations (Dutch art 2007) and Native American Art (2007). As the public art museum of South Canterbury Aigantighe puts a particular focus on professional, emergent and ‘outsider’ regional artists. Exhibitions by other New Zealand artists are sourced by networking with artists, museums, dealer galleries and private collectors.

Education Programmes

The Aigantighe actively supports life-long learning and has energetically launched a number of New Zealand art museum education programme ‘firsts’.
Historic painting dress-ups are replica children’s costumes of those depicted in Victorian paintings in the Aigantighe’s collection. For visually impaired and blind visitors special touch sculptures and “tactiles” which have a raised relief replicate paintings in the Aigantighe’s collection and labels in Braille are in development.
Each year two special events focus on younger artists: Artarama! The Festival of South Canterbury Student Art and Polychrome, the Aoraki Polytechnic exhibition. A list of art awards and competitions plus entry forms are held at the Aigantighe. School tours and curriculum-linked worksheets for specific exhibitions or aspects of the collection are available. To book in your class or arrange a tour for your group just call the Gallery.

School Holiday Programmes

School holiday programmes are hugely popular and keep families occupied for hours. Aigantighe ‘firsts’ include Art Hunt booklets which really get children looking at artworks and Chen Tse-Lung the 600 year old Chinese warrior sculpture who comes alive! Also on are Art competitions, Colour Costumes with treats for all and great prizes. Colour Puppets take over the Aigantighe in the holidays and invite children to see the art works through their “fantasy museum” eyes.

Nga Kahui o te Maunga Kei Kei

The Sculpture Garden

The Mt Somers stone sculptures in Aigantighe’s garden are by New Zealand, Japanese and African artists.

The sculpture garden is always open.

Our sculpture garden brochure is available for download:
Sculpture Garden Guide (991 KB) This is a large file, we recommend that you save it to your hard drive before opening.

Volunteers

The Aigantighe’s award-winning volunteers assist staff in a number of ways. If you would like to help and love working with the public please give the Gallery a call.

The Friends of the Aigantighe Art Gallery

The Friends were founded in 1976 and they vigorously support Gallery staff, various Gallery activities and run the very special Art Car Project, an outreach vehicle which appears at public festivals and special Gallery events. The Friends welcome new members and to join contact them at PO Box 780 Timaru or friends.aigantighe.org.nz

Bequests

Donors have nourished Aigantighe for decades and a large percentage of Aigantighe’s collection has been donated either during a donor’s lifetime or by bequest. Often funds have been given to Aigantighe for the purchase of art works or for general purposes. Please contact the Director if you wish to make a specific donation or bequest.

Adopt a painting

Since 1998 interested people have adopted a favourite art work in need of a conservator and donated funds for its restoration. This means works kept in storage can be made to look their best and used in exhibitions. If you would like to support the professional restoration of a particular art work from Aigantighe’s collection please contact the Director